Cutting off back side dust shield thing
 

On the back side of the rotor there is a black shield that I can only is some kind of dust shield or something like a stonegard. What is this thing, which always seems to bend and rub up against the back of the rotor. Can you remove it or cut it off? Pros and cons.. Dan

I'm sure it can be unbolted - probably a bad idea. I have never had happen what you describe on any car in normal driving. I feel certain you could kiss your ABS goodby at a minimum if you remove it - considering the blows it must be sustaining during your commute now.

Steve

You can cut this off if you so desire, you can also remove it but that involves taking apart the parking brake. Visit my 400E brake upgrade section of my W201 page for pictures of how I cut my rear dust shields.

On many of the cars with which I am familiar,
 

this piece of "tin" plays an important part in directing the airflow to cool the brake caliper and rotor. Removing it is likely to change the heat flow characteristics in some ways which are quite unpredictable.

The only times I have seen these parts bent against the rotors have been when some really ignorant person bent them around by carelessly jamming wheels on at odd angles before hitting the center hole -- often these have been licensed Virginia State Safety inspectors, who are often totally unconcerned about the consequences of such damage done during their "safety inspections." I've even seen one of them drop the front wheel bearing cover of a drum brake car on an extremely dirty floor and then hammer it back on without any attempt to clean it or even look inside it.